Bone morphogenetic proteins: a realistic alternative to bone grafting for alveolar reconstruction.

Preclinical studies have shown that rhBMP-2 induces normal physiologic bone in clinically relevant defects in the craniofacial skeleton. The newly formed bone assumes characteristics of the adjacent resident bone and allows placement, osseointegration/re-osseointegration, and functional loading of endosseous implants. Clinical studies optimizing dose, delivery technologies, and conditions for stimulation of bone growth will bring about a new era in dentistry. The ability to predictably promote osteogenesis through the use of bone morphogenetic protein technologies is not far from becoming a clinical reality and will have an astounding effect on how dentistry is practiced.